Please don't laugh...

[absintheisfun]

This is the VERY first time I've ever held a welder to metal. I've got the sizzling bacon sound, and I am now looking for advice...these don't look like good welds, so what am I doing wrong? Moving too fast? Too slow? Wire too fast? Too slow? Heat too high? Too low?....

.....help.....me.....please...

EQUIP: 120V mig (flux core)
wire speed about 1/2 way, heat about 1/2 way as well.

sheetmetal layered on top of one another. (about a 1/4" overlap)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trialspw3.jpg)

close-up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trialerrorxw6.jpg)

attempt at a spot weld with three different size holes (indicated in picture)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spotweldap2.jpg)

[parsonsj]

Looks like not enough heat to me. Not much penetration, etc. It doesn't look like you are moving the tip in a circular pattern either.

With the overlap and rosette (the real name for what you called a spot weld), the idea is to create a weld puddle in the lower metal, and then move the puddle to the edge of the upper metal. For the rosette (spot) weld, you start in the middle of hole, then work the edges of the puddle over to "capture" the edges of the hole. You'll likely have better luck with a bigger hole, like 5/16 or so.

So relax, add some heat, (and some wire speed, most likely), and move the torch at about half the speed you think you should. Learn what it takes to burn though, and then you'll see how much time you have to manipulate the puddle.

Good luck, and show us your next attempts.

jp

[absintheisfun]

well...I took your advice and turned it up a notch, and increased the wire speed. I slowed down my movement, and when all was said and done, I burned a two inch line through both sheets of metal..

sooooo....

I turned the wire speed back to middle, and turned the heat to its lowest setting...took my time, and:

top view:
[img=http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/135/p3180095zc5.th.jpg] (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3180095zc5.jpg)

showing penetration on the bottom view:
[img=http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2044/p3180096ly7.th.jpg] (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3180096ly7.jpg)

I think it is getting better...but no where near where I need to be. I'm going to pick up some scrap sheetmetal tomorrow on my way home from work

practice, practice, practice!

[lt1chevelle]

some times on the inner panles of the welder it will tell you the settings baised on the thickness of your metal if you look at that it will get you in the ballpark of were u need to be and you can always adjust from there

[osdmike]

Hi!
Try this site.

http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig7_1.htm

Scroll sidebar.

or Google : Welding Techniques or welding Skills.

Maybe You will find something there.

"Osdmike" :fingersx:

[Satatic]

From what I understand is the .035 you use is to big and carries to much current causing to much heat. Yet if you turn it down you dont get enough heat. The way I became a better welder was to buy the kit to convert my flux core machine into a mig welder. Then started using .023 wire. I dont really burn through anymore. I remember when I was trying to use flux core to weld sheet metal all I could do was spot weld and grind. Could never get any penetration cause it would just instantly burn through.

[parsonsj]

Yes, that's excellent advice: .035 wire is too thick for sheet metal. Swap to .024, and you should find it a lot easier ...

jp

[MonzaRacer]

slow the wire speed down some,
what type of welder and how about a pic of the front of it I may be able to identify the design patent(only like 6 different welder fronts from the patents (my brother is trying to build a welder).
Lee

[absintheisfun]

After some moderately successful welds (panels held together after my "abuse" test), and some more research, I read about the smaller guage wire.

I would love nothing more than to convert it to a true mig (gas mix)...but the wife says no. I've explained what the gas does, and that it is not flammable, but she insists....and as we all know, we must submit to the rules of the wife!

I'm going to buy some smaller wire and tips this week and some scrap metal and continue practicing.

Its a Clarke welder Mig 130 EN. (it was a cheap kit at northern tool) pic:
http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/productimages/airco_superior/WE6523CSA.jpg

I actually caught a panel on fire this weekend because I forgot to scrape the paint off of one side!:doh:

[Jim Nilsen]

It is always useful to get your setup or practice pieces clamped in a place so you can hold the torch head in one hand comfortably and your other hand on the wire speed. Remember that the wire speed is your friend. The size of the metal you are welding will determine the heat/current you need and the rest is practice to learn how fast you need to move so you don't make holes like John said.
When turning the speed of the wire up and down you will find the feel and sound of a good arc. Once you have the weld looking good on your setup piece you need to go to your practice pieces and leave the settings alone and learn to manipulate the heat with the way you move it around. With fluxcore wire you will find that you have to keep the speed of the wire so it keeps closer to the puddle. Will will learn what I mean when you are adjusting the speed up and down and getting the feel for it.

If you can get good enough with fluxcore to do sheetmetal you will really be surprised when you finally get on a true mig at how easy it is compared to fluxcore. The smaller .023 or .024 wire will really help you with 20ga. sheetmetal.

Another tip is to get a light and shine it on the area you are welding. The hardest thing is seeing what you are doing when learning and you will do better if you can see your puddle better.

Goodluck and practice practice practice.